Czech Republic vs. USA
Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2014, 2:15 pm ET
Generali Arena, Prague, Czech Republic
Watch on NBCSN, NBCSports.com
It all starts over for the US national team when they take the field Wednesday against the Czech Republic, the first match since the Yanks were eliminated in the Round of 16 of the World Cup earlier this summer. It kicks off the new cycle in preparation for Russia 2018, with friendlies also scheduled this year against Ecuador (Oct. 10), Honduras (Oct. 14) and the Republic of Ireland (Nov. 18).
Head coach Jurgen Klinsmann called in a mostly European-based, youth-heavy squad and handed the armband to striker Jozy Altidore. Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando is the only MLS player to receive a call, and Klinsmann called in just 10 holdovers from his World Cup roster.
HISTORY
The US are seeking their first win against the Czech Republic after losses in all three previous meetings.
The US lost 5-1 in their first-ever meeting in the group stage of the 1990 World Cup, with Paul Caligiuri netting the only goal for the Red, White and Blue.
In the 2006 World Cup in Germany, the Czech Republic collected a 3-0 win in the opening group match. Most recently, the teams met in the Send-Off Series for South Africa as the US fell 4-2 on May 25, 2010, in East Hartford, Conn.
USA OUTLOOK
It makes sense that Klinsmann’s first team since the World Cup would be a nod to the future. Players like Seattle Sounders Academy product Jordan Morris, who is preparing for his college season with Stanford University, goalkeeper Cody Cropper (21) of Southampton, midfielder Emerson Hyndman (18) of Fulham and forwards Joe Gyau (21) of Borussia Dortmund and Rubio Rubin (18) of FC Utrecht in Holland could all make their US debut.
There’s also the also the business of replacing goalkeeper and World Cup hero Tim Howard, who recently announced he would step away from international competition for the year. And while Howard has yet to decide on his future with the USMNT after that, Rimando and Brad Guzan – both of whom, Klinsmann said, would see action against the Czech Republic – are Howard’s obvious successors.
CZECH REPUBLIC OUTLOOK
While the US will have the luxury of test driving a few new faces, the Czech Republic will look to be at their best. This match will serve as a tune-up for their Euro 2016 group qualifier against the Netherlands on Sept. 9. However, goalkeeper Petr Cech and midfielder Tomas Rosicky, both holdovers from the Czech’s win over the US in the 2006 World Cup, are the only mainstays in the group as they’ve also called in a roster largely comprised of youngsters.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
USA – Nick Rimando
This could be a big year for the RSL star as he makes his case to become Howard’s successor in goal. In the midst of another huge year with RSL, Rimando will get 45 minutes worth of play in this outing, according to Klinsmann.
CZECH REPUBLIC – Tomas Rosicky
The international veteran (right) will lead a roster of mostly youngsters as he looks to lead the Czech Republic to a sixth consecutive Euro appearance. He’s also reportedly not happy with his lack of playing time with Arsenal, so he should be coming in with something to prove.
- COMMENTARY: Klinsmann unveils his youth movement
ROSTERS
United States
GOALKEEPERS (3): Cody Cropper (Southampton), Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)
DEFENDERS (6): John Brooks (Hertha Berlin), Timmy Chandler (Eintracht Frankfurt), Greg Garza (Club Tijuana), Fabian Johnson (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Michael Orozco (Puebla), Tim Ream (Bolton)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes), Joe Corona (Club Tijuana), Mix Diskerud (Rosenborg), Julian Green (Hamburg), Emerson Hyndman (Fulham), Alfredo Morales (Ingolstadt), Brek Shea (Stoke City)
FORWARDS (5): Jozy Altidore (Sunderland), Joe Gyau (Borussia Dortmund II), Jordan Morris (Stanford), Rubio Rubin (Utrecht), Bobby Wood (1860 Munich)
Czech Republic
GOALKEEPERS (3): Petr Cech (Chelsea/ENG), Tomas Vaclik (FC Basel/SUI), David Bicik (Sparta Prague)
DEFENDERS (7): Radim Reznik (Viktoria Plzen), Vaclav Prochazka (Viktoria Plzen), David Limbersky (Viktoria Plzen), Pavel Kaderabek (Sparta Prague), Michal Kadlec (Fenerbahce/TUR), Marek Suchy (FC Basel/SWI), Daniel Pudil (Watford/ENG)
MIDFIELDERS (9): Milan Petrzela (Viktoria Plzen), Daniel Kolar (Viktoria Plzen), Tomas Horava (Viktoria Plzen), Vaclav Pilar (Viktoria Plzen), Vladimir Darida (Freiburg/GER), Petr Jiracek (Hamburg/GER), Borek Dockal (Sparta Prague), Ladislav Krejci (Sparta Prague), Tomas Rosicky (Arsenal/ENG)
FORWARD (1): Jan Vydra (Watford/ENG).
